LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23573, 6 February 1940, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

War Service Honours Board The Auckland Electric-Power Board decided yesterday to erect an honours board to be inscribed with the names of all those from the board's staff who left New Zealand as members of the military forces. In future, also, a list of names of employees undertaking such service will be presented at each meeting of the board. N.0.0.'s for Camp A small party of non-commissioned officers will leave Auckland by the limited express to-night for Trentham, where they will go into training for duties with the second echelon of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Thirteen in number, they, are all members of either tho Convalescent Depot or No. 1 General Hospital. Resumption of Schools After the long summer holiday, children attending the primary and grammar schools of the Auckland district, as well as Seddon Memorial Technical College and Sacred Heart College, will go back to their lessons this morning. One more day's holiday remains i'or the pupils of King's College and Diocesan High School. St. Cuthbert's Collego will resume on Thursday.

Storm Passes Monterey The westerly storm which swept Auckland over the week-end, passed tho Matson liner Monterey on her voyage from Sydney in the early hours of Saturday morning and gave the vessel a severe buffeting. The Monterey left Sydney on Friday, and was not far out to sea when the storm caught it. There was no damage, but passengers who arrived in Auckland yesterday morning stated that it was very rough before the storm passed.

Chief Post Office Roof Because it has deteriorated, the fabric in the flat roof of the Chief Post Office is to be renewed, and the Public Works Department has invited tenders for the work. The deterioration is a normal process and the work to be put in hand has no relationship to the reconstruction of part of tho building to conform with the scheme permitted by the erection of the mail building at tho rear. Plans for this reconstruction, which will apply mostly to the basement and tho ground floor, are being prepared.

Tribute to Army Leader "Major-General Freyberg is a man of great personality and character whose record in the last war and since should be an inspiration to the troops he leads," said the IU. Hon. R. G. Casey, P.C., Australian Minister-designate to Washington, during an interview yesterday. "His name, of course, is of Empire-wide significance," Mr. Casey added. "He told me recently on his return trip through Australia how proud and delighted he was to be commanding the New Zealand Expeditionary Force."

Historic Photographs What is regarded as a valuable addition to the collection at the Auckland War Memorial Museum is the gift of whole-plate photographs of Maoris and Maori scenes in the King Country taken by the brothers Burton, of Dunedin, in 1885-S7. It has been presented by Mr. J. D. Richardson, of Epsom. Such warrior leaders as Rewi, Tawhana, Taonui and Wctere Te Rerenga are included, and among village scenes is that of historic Te Kumi with a typical river canoe drawn up in the foreground, and also a whare roofed with totara bark.

Friary Doorknobs Delayed The effect of the war on Empire shipping has been felt even in the new Franciscan l'riary and house of retreat at Hillsborough, which is to be officially opened on Sunday by Bishop Liston. Final structural touches are being added to the building, but the doorknobs, have yet to arrive. Ordered from England some time ago, they have not j T et been shipped, owing to transport difficulties, and the situation is being met with various makeshifts. Some of the doors have not yet any handles at all, entry being effected with the key alone.

Politics as a Career An appeal to young men not to neglect politics and public life as a career was made by the lit. Hon. R. G. Casey, Australian Minister-designate to Washington, in an address at a semi-official State luncheon held in his honour in Auckland yesterday. Mr. Casey said that in Australia, and perhaps in New Zealand, there was too much of a tendency to regard politics as a "dirty game" that could be left for older men. He believed that this was a mistaken outlook, and felt that young men should be encouraged to fit themselves for public life as a high field of endeavour. Old Maori Pish Hook

Evidently fashioned by a Maori craftsman, perhaps 200 years ago, a large wooden hook was discovered in a swamp above Putiki Bay, Waiheke, by Mr. A. Graham, of Ostend, during the week-end. Eight inches long, it appears to have been developed from an appropriately shaped root of a pohutukawa tree. The hook was fitted with a barb, and an eye, together with grooves, has been carved at the top of the stem. Mr. Graham, who believes that the hook was used by the Maoris either for shark fishing or as a gaff, intends to present it to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Launch Refloated The Valsan, a 38ft. bridge-deck pleasure cruiser owned by Mr. A. Harvey, of Remuera, which struck a submerged reef off the point at Castor Bay on Sunday night, was refloated early yesterday morning. The launch was not severely damaged, the false keel being slightly splintered in several places and the hull being scraped in a few patches. The Valsan was taken to its moorings, and subsequently to the shipbuilding yard of R. Lidgard on the Western Reclamation, where it is now on the slip for repairs. The Valsan was returning from Kawau when it struck tho reef, becoming wedged in a crevice until high tide floated it clear. Labourers' Dilemma The members of the Hamilton branch of the Auckland Builders' and General Labourers' Union of Workers are in somewhat of a dilemma as to whom union fees should be paid, owing to a dispute that has arisen between the officials. In a public notice on Saturday, the general secretary, Mr. T. Stanley, advises that the only agent appointed to collect dues in; Hamilton is Mr. J. Batters, of Hamilton East. Messrs. R. S. Hurrell and F. T. Mills, trustees of the branch, publish another notice stating that Mr. Stanley holds no official position in the union and cannot appoint collectors. Members are advised by them to pay all dues to the branch office, the address of which is given.